Central Queensland hotel takes out Best Bush Pub in state

THE New Royal Hotel at Rubyvale in the heart of the Queensland Sapphire Gemfields has been named "Best Bush Pub 2015" in the Queensland Hotel Association Awards for the second year in a row.

The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner & Presentation - now in its 23rd year - was held at the Great Hall at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

There were 1000 guests at the annual special event - a celebration of industry achievement and an opportunity for hotel industry delegates to enjoy being on the receiving end of an evening of outstanding hospitality.

Hosts, Channel 7's Pat Welsh and radio personality Donna Lynch, presented a total of 43 awards to the state's best venues in a range of categories: Employee, Liquor and Bar, Development, Gaming, Accommodation, Dining, and Environment and Community. Plus, the highly coveted awards for Best Overall Hotel and Hotelier of the Year were announced.

Hotels large and small from all over Queensland participated in the 2015 awards program, which this year saw a record number of nominations.

The New Royal Hotel, Rubyvale took out the State-wide "Best Bush Pub" category. Other finalists included: Q Hotel at Miles, Rudd's Pub at Nobby and the Stockman's Hotel at Texas.

"We believe that this award recognizes not only the New Royal Hotel but our hardworking staff, the little town of Rubyvale but also the Sapphire Gemfields of Central Queensland and how they are taking their place in Queensland's great tourism industry," said joint owner/proprietor Wendy McFarlane.